It was apparent as reports came out over the summer that Marc Savard was still battling symptoms of post-concussion syndrome that the star center’s 2011-12 season would be in doubt.

Today Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli eliminated those doubts and confirmed what we all expected and feared: Savard will not play this season his career is in jeopardy of being over.

Chiarelli made his comments on Savard in a chat with the Boston Globe.

Chiarelli said:

“Marc Savard won’t play this year. Nothing has changed in our monitoring. He’ll be examined and he’ll be declared unfit to play.”

He continued:

“Based on what I see, what I hear, what I read, and what I’m told, it’s very unlikely Marc will play again. Now, knowing the uncertainty of this injury, there’s always a chance [he could play]. But based on what I’m told, it’s very unlikely he’ll play. As an employer, I support him and hope he gets back to living a healthy life.”

Savard recently enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown with his family and friends, so life seems to be improving for the 34-year-old. That hockey doesn’t seem to be in his future is a shame but, as hard as it is to believe, things could be worse. Here’s hoping Savard continues to improve enough that the symptoms don’t linger forever.

This is going to be an intersting season for the nhl. Some player early into the season is going to hit some body or do something that draws full media attention to it and wham the rules will change “for the good.” I am no doctor and have no idea why these concussions are occuring but I tend to leed with others that it is the amount and size of the protection. In the 80, and 90’s it seemed injuries were more of the seperated shoulder say on a big hit, not a head injury and shoulder and elbow pads were a lot smaller. Look at old footage and you will see guys like a rod langway who did’nt really even where shoulder pads. i just think the more equipment you have the more invincible you think you become. when these blinside hits occur I don’t really beleive that the player making the hit wants to hurt the guy it’s just they have been taught the game from the begining that big pads full face masks make you feel as safe as a tank. I certainly don’t have the awnser to this but cringe when I think of that first blind side hit and we got all the world focusing on our sport and how barberic it is. The media are supposed to report the facts but in this day and age they also seem to dictate policy. Be well M Savard you should be proud of your career.

Cormac,
Poorly stated by me. I made a disconnect, where softer pads equal less protection and therefore, people would think more about their hits, leading to a reduction of the injury-causing hits by impacts to a less rigid surface and less protection for the hitter, which is why I said it would “slow down” the game, when I meant to say hitter speeds. Though, on reconsideration that make less sense than when I first though of it, so I think I was trying to say what you said in one sentence. Sorry for a sloppy post.

Kiethshoo,
I agree a cultural change will be a good idea, but I suggested that changing that rule in the NHL will do little to mitigate injuries. I do agree that making the pads a little softer/less protective will be a very good thing, as that should lead to softer hits, and fewer concussions, without a rules change. If we have a few more bruised elbows/shoulders, I’ll be fine with it. There will be a little less speed in the game, but there should be more skill as the players will need to pay more attention to avoid serious pain. I think the tradeoff of losing concussions for less serious or at least more predictable injuries is a worthwhile endeavor.

JPT, RD – I guarantee you guys wish your team was more physically adept, and JPT your accusation of “gooning” is so obviously a defense mechanism. Didn’t Montreal have Laraque? Basically the last real Goon. And your offseason? What have you done? Traded a scorer prospect for…a goon. Blunden played 40 games for Colombus and had 59 PIMs. It’s ok to be jealous, but don’t use transfer your jealousy onto blind hate. Just admit you wish your team had a little more “fortitude”.

Cormac
Thanks for the info. Brent Sutter was inteviewed on Calgary radio station the other day and he said he watched a play-off game between the Habs and Bruins, from the 1980’s, and not one head shot. I think the shoulder pads starting really changing in the late 1990’s. Brent did indicate that the game also had many good hits and NO soccer-type dives. Check your team’s history JPT!
The Other Nifty
I think that would be a GREAT change if they reformed the icing rules. Don Cherry has advocated that for many year.

I had heard that the ‘O’ may go that route and that will only make the other junior/elite leagues follow suit. That should have been done years ago.

The same for for no touch icing. I’ve never went to a game and hoped I saw a race for the puck to nulify an icing. I watch tons of junior and the no touch doesn’t affect the game in any way. Maybe once in one hundred games will a race for a iced puck have an impact in the pros.

The Knights Opened camp Tuesday and I see Jared Knight has a new roommate. Max Domi. He also has diabetes and JK will help him along the way.

David – No goggles, pal. Did you watch that series? Bs throwing them down… Me fighting Gionta. C’mon, give me a break. I’ve NEVER advocated fighting. Hockey is a physical game and it should be. Sometimes punches will get thrown – its inevitable, but the gladiator garbage can leave as far as I’m concerned. What I’m commenting about is JPTs constant whining about the Bs because they are physical. Well – their physical game won the cup – its obviously an important part of the game. While I’m not a fan of fighting, I absolutely detest diving. Its cheating, its cowardly, its a disgrace to all who play – and if Vancouver or Montreal won by diving (which they almost did) you can bet the NHL would look at changing the rules FINALLY. As it turned out Montreal lost by diving on their sword. Justice! Anyone that doesn’t think those two teams are made up of low character divers isn’t honest. Half the time they were diving – they were laughing when they got the calls. Nothing is more lame… well other than you calling me out to fight Gionta – WTF?!

No Goggles:
This from Hockey Writers: “2. P.K. Subban needs to quit diving: The one thing that irritates me more than anything is watching players take obvious dives. Throughout the series, Subban dove in an attempt to draw penalties. It worked many times, but that is beside the point. He is too good a player to be diving. For the record, his dive at the end of the second period of Game 2 was an embarrassment to the game and his talent. If I were Mike Cammalleri or Brian Gionta, I would tell Subban to stop the diving and just play.”

RD
I think it was you that said something about the size of elbow pads and shoulders pads somewhat responsible for the injuries, I agree. They have become so large that they are used as a device to cause greater impact upon players. I also think that players that leave their feet to hit, should receive an automatic game suspension.

Bojangles
The Habs past players must be sick and tired of the acting/embellishment that goes on with some of their present players. The Canadiens appear to be trying to become the Vancouver Canucks of the East.

Sorry David, I’ve never played in the ladies NCAA lol. I was talking about pickup hockey or worse, when the rink is double booked. Rules are very loosely applied in that setting.

As for the Vancouver thing, EXACTLY. I was blaming the city for putting that many people on the streets without knowing the outcome. It’s one thing to have 400 000 people for a victory parade. It’s another thing to watch your team stink it up in a game 7.

This just in: results of the vancouver riot investigation are that there were too many people and they were too drunk…took the all summer to figure it out! someone give them a cookie!http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587635

David,
I guess craziness breeds more craziness. btw, have you ever set foot on the ice when women are playing? They’re dirtier than the men. I guess they may feel they have something to prove but I guarantee you’re gonna get hit.

Bojangles…do you really see anything without having your black and gold beer goggles on? Sure, some habs fell on some plays but some Bruins tossed them down most of the time. You act like such a keyboard warrior on this site but I have my money on 5’6 Gionta if the two of you ever came face to face…come to think of it, I’d put my money on any hab against you including the goalies and the old-timers. This whole calling people that could break you in half “bitch this” and “bitch that” is getting kinda stale.

@ David you are correct that the USA Hockey rule changes will have no effect on the NHL game, but it will have an effect on the sport of hockey. The next generation of players, the ones learning the game now, will be taught the game and learn that hits to the head are unacceptable. That is why I stated these mandates are about 10 years too late

As far as I’m concerned if the Canadiens don’t want to be treated like bitches, they shouldn’t play like them. The diving in that last 7 game series was pathetic, and just as much as the NHL has to do something very serious about the severity of hits, they also have to regain some integrity in the game. Like when Subban fell to the ice while holding Campbell’s stick. Of course, the hockey God’s did their part – laughing at Hamr(lik)Heads ridiculous flop that cost them all of what makes JPT cry and moan.

Same goes with the Nucks.

You play like a bitch in the playoffs – the NHL (thank god) allows players to police it themselves with what I think are sufficient boundaries. (Talking to you Burrows!)

RD,
I know Moen’s a pretty big dude, but my point in that is just how ridiculous JPT can be. My point is that hitting is in the game. He should watch the KHL or women’s hockey if he doesn’t want to see it, but I had more fun saying it the other way. I pretty much totally agree with what you’re saying though, it’s just that when someone says something crazy more people pay attention than when someone says something reasonable.

Keithshoo,
that won’t really do all that much: Chara’s hit wasn’t to the head, nor was Hunwick’s, nor Rome’s. All those resulted in a concussion, but it’s the recoil that gets people. The when and where on the ice hits are made needed to be regulated more closely, and if someone has intent to injure, the league needs to grow a pair and do something about it.

David,
I know you’re having fun at JPT’s expense but Moen is actually 6’2 215 which would make him only marginally smaller than Lucic and Horton. He also plays a pretty physical and tough game without committing headshots (that I recall).

Also, as I’ve pointed out, you can mock the Montreal Canadiens for complaining about the style of play because their players are shorter but Boston is the team losing the most players to headshots. What exactly are you getting at with this line of reasoning? It’s Marc Savard’s career that is over. It’s Bergeron and Horton that are now higher risk cases. If anything, you’re saying Montreal cares more about Pacioretty’s welfare than you are giving Boston credit for with regards to Savard and co…

I think the league should think about reducing the protective gear to the elbows, shoulders and increasing the protection on the helmets. I played rugby for a while and the only guys that got hurt were the football players. Why? Because they were used to hitting people with their gear ie shoulders and head.

The silver lining with the Savard and Crosby situations is that USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have initiated a zero tolerance policy on hits to the head. Starting in the 2011-2012 seasons, hits to the head carry a minimum minor penalty. The minor penalty is for inadvertent contact (free moving stick, body check where the arm rides up the body and makes contact to the head). They are taking it a step further and any push, jab, or face wash is now a major penalty and game misconduct. The player is done for the game and is suspended for their next game. This is going to cause a widespread change in philosophy for how players act in games. Imagine how quickly people will stop going anywhere near a players head if they know they are getting a penalty, even if it was inadvertent? I applaud USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, although I believe they are about 10 years too late on this major rule change.

Funny how few people get hurt when playing against the “goon” team when compared to teams like Washington, Pittsburgh, Philly, Vancouver, etc. Montreal’s problem is that they have an obsession with smurfs. Now the real issue with smurfs playing hockey is that they’re generally about 30cm tall (just for you, JPT so you can understand) and their bouncers weight maybe 2kg…. so, now when two objects going in different directions collide, each will recoil with the same amount of momentum where momentum is mass times velocity. Say, one body our small guy who weighs 180lbs (82kg) is going 25km/h and hits the enforcer smurf (otherwise known as Moen) who is traveling at the same speed. so 82kg*25km/h=2045kg*km/h and 2kg*25km/h=50kg*km/h so we can see who has more momentum. This totals to 2095kg*km/h and since each player gets half the momentum in a perfectly elastic collision (which this is not, but you will see my point) so enforcer smurf get 1047.5kg*km/h which when divided by his weight (2kg) gives a speed of 524km/h which is probably closer to 400km/h after factoring in non-elasic coefficients and gets down to about 300km/h after we assume incomplete transfer of momentum (it’s really hard to hit small targets square). this means that enforcer smurf hits the boards at a minimum speed of 290km/h (174mph) (air resistance and friction). At this speed, people usually die in car crashes or are in the hospital for long periods of time. So we can see, the Canandeins actually should have a lot of concern about the speed of the game and should desire a reduction of contact for the safety and wellbeing of their players.

Bruins fans: The reason I did this is so we can understand that due to the Molson family’s unnatural fascination with the smaller blue homonid species commonly referred to as smurfs, the Canadiens fans are sensitive to being touched because of the severe injury it can bring to their players despite the nature of the game they participate in, so we shouldn’t make fun of JPT, we should support and cultivate a safe environment for our fellow species, even the tiny blue ones. My initial suggestion for this is to make a new league where they can participate safely in this sport we all love and cherish so they too can go home to their loved ones as we do to ours.

I’m very sad to read this about Marc. He’s a great player but these types of injuries become more and more life situations and I hope that he eventually recovers from this.

I’m not going to single out players or teams. I think there needs to be a shift in the mentality of the sport. I know people are defensive to this but you don’t need to be. For instance, Boston might think they only have an identity as a punishing and crushing fighting team but they won the Stanley cup last year and did not really have many if any fighting majors in the finals. Nor did Boston have many cheap hits throughout the playoffs so I don’t see why this brand of hockey has any place in the NHL.

I could be wrong but I think Boston has suffered more than any other team (well maybe Pittsburg with Sid the kid) with regards to headshots and post concussion syndrome. We need to start looking at shoulder pads, elbow pads, helmets, suspensions and get serious. We’re looking at an NHL without Savard, Crosby, maybe Bergeron and Horton down the line.
I’ve played hockey twice a week for the last 25 years. Sure there’s some physicality but taking out guys by the head is totally not necessary.

It is very sad to read this. He will always be my favorite player, and I will always remember him since watching his style of play got me into the sport! Here’s hoping he recovers! I hope he at least makes it to opening night. He was a huge part of the team, regardless of his injuries.

hey JPT, how about the flyers? pretty sure they support goonery, as do the laffs, ducks, canucks, rangers, etc. not our fault your french flowers can’t hit or fight back.

as for savard, thanks for the memories, i’ll never forget that hat trick you had in the first game kessel was back in the garden for – hope you enjoy that sox hat i threw on the ice for ya. get better and enjoy being a parent

JPT
Chara’s history is far better than Cooke’s. When he took Pacioretty into the boards he was finishing a check, not aiming for the pole. The definition of goon to me is someone who use his stick, hits from behind, or targets the head. Chara and Lucic would have a few high sticking penalties, but not with the intent injure. Lucic did get called for a hit from behind, in the playoffs, but he slowed down and kept his elbow in. (I think he hit Spacek) I don’t think he should have got kicked out. I know I have never seen either target the head, other Lucic when Alex Burroughs was trying to embelish for the referee. Your asking these two to not use their size and strength. That would be like telling Yvon Lambert, Serge Savard, or Larry Robinson not to hit people. The NHL is not romper room at the OK corral, it is a physical game of speed and strength.
I don’t know about Belak situation, but you can’t blame the Bruins for the deaths of Boogard and Rypien. I believe both had a history of either depression or substance abuse or both.

Now you need to order one of these classy Bruins shirts found on this website, tear down your pictures of Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson and replace them with Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic. Get some class!